Contaminant removal efficiency of floating treatment wetlands. (13th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Shuolin; Katul, Gabriel
• Is Part Of: Environmental research letters. Volume 15:Number 10(2020:Oct.)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-13
• Subjects: contaminant -- removal efficiency -- floating treatment wetlands -- underflow currents -- short-circuiting; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abaa0a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-9326

Abstract

Abstract: Floating treatment wetlands are new ecological infrastructures for stormwater treatment. Despite a recent proliferation in their usage, their contaminant removal efficiency e continues to draw research attention. Here, the e from idealized FTWs is numerically computed across a wide range of flow and geometric conditions while accommodating joint contributions of advection, turbulent dispersion, and vegetation removal. The emerging mathematical structure describing e bears resemblance to a simplified plug flow model and supports an empirical shallow-basin model from long-term field measurements. The present model indicates that e remains significantly influenced by a Dämkohler number that quantifies the effects of both vegetation and flow properties. The impacts on e of the underflow region and contaminant blockage on the removal mechanisms are also investigated.